Board of Education OKs Spending Plan

The Ventura County Board of Education this week approved a $38.8-million spending plan for fiscal 1997-98 that leaves the county schools office with only a $5,000 shortfall.

“For this year’s projected budget, we feel it’s well balanced . . .,” said Stan Mantooth, assistant superintendent of business services.

The county schools office doesn’t expect any significant changes in spending in the new fiscal year, said Supt. Charles Weis.

“We don’t see any major increases or decreases.” Weis said.

The Board of Education overseas schools for special education, incarcerated and continuation students. The office also performs some administrative functions for the 20 county school districts.

The board majority--Marty Bates, Angela Miller and Ron Matthews--initially voted down the spending plan Monday, saying that Weis had not provided them with information they asked for about past expenditures.

Bates had asked that all five trustees be provided copies of invoices, payments and contracts for all expenditures over the past three years, Weis said.

“In the face of this rejection by Charles Weis for information requested regarding the 1997-1998 budget, I know that it is my responsibility to the citizens of Ventura County to oppose the approval of this proposed budget as presented by the office controlled by Charles Weis,” Bates said in a memo.

Weis told trustees that if they did not approve the budget it would effectively shut down the county school programs.

Trustees then unanimously approved the budget. The board majority also approved an amendment stating that they had the right to request information on how money was being spent.

“I don’t know what the question is they are seeking to answer,” Weis said of the information Bates requested. “And I don’t know if the board members know themselves. It’s not just time-consuming, it’s expensive. The file drawer includes 20 to 30 inches [of records].”